to follow up you should note that the study of theory in a western sense really only started becoming popular after Rameau published his treatise - and even then it wasn't widely taught until the mid18th cent. The reason we have the theory we do now is from studying works and deriving our own set of "rules" (I use this lightly) from common elements we find. Just remember that Bach and other composers of the time were making these rules by what sounded right to them not what they read in a book.
@evanduffycomposer Well, before Rameau you had Fux. Also, composers didn't just compose away, they were educated by masters, in what was a highly professional and artisanal environment. Just because the rules aren't learned from a book, doesn't mean there are no rules: just ask any genuine carpenter (hm, I guess they're all retired/dead nowadays...).
Let treefingers have his own opinion, guys. I don't agree with him, but I think he's trying to say that all this knowledge doesn't necessarily produce a good musician (which I DO agree with), and that sometimes it takes a fresh pair of untrained ears to hear things in a different way... it may be his personal experience that too much understanding can sometimes not allow us to step back and not be as analytical.
@clevernickname70 The true Art is in the skillful balance of the written work and an artist's interpretation of the piece. If either of these is emphasized over the other, true musical beauty cannot be achieved.
@treefingers68 music theory helps you understand music better as a whole. It allows you to be able to pick out the parts of the piece you're trying to play. It gives structure to a big mess of notes and rhythms. It is VERY useful. It's like saying that learning grammar inhibits a writers creativity.
Just a thought. For all those of you seeking to analyze and deconstruct a particular interpretation... you are missing the point of the Art. The magic does not lie in the individual notes or the turn of a phrase but rather in the whole. Get out of your left brain for a few minutes and just listen... not to Gould, or Gulda or Goldfish. The artist here is J.S. Bach.
@treefingers68 They unlock creativity. What you are refering to is infact impulsiveness. True creative genius is taking impulses and turning that into something beautiful and engenius through one's knowledge.
On a purely aesthetic and emotional level, I am less moved by many other interpretations and find them less beautiful. And for any performer worth his salt, the "why" is a necessary question.
WTC a true masterpiece written by the Leipzig Kantor and published after his death in the XIX century, a composition for practicing to students and that turned out to be the work of a genius!
Dave2bu: thanks for asking. I relistened to it and think it's a little better, but still not that great. The prelude is much too fast and not expressive enough. It is not an allegro but he plays it as though it were. The fugue is very rough and lacks playfulness. It's not an issue of tempo but mostly an issue of touch, in that his sound is very aggressive and harsh.
Considering the Well-Tempered Clavier was written by Bach without much in the way of expression. It's theorized that it was meant primarily for the harpsichord, an instrument lacking in the amenities offered on the modern piano instrument.
to follow up you should note that the study of theory in a western sense really only started becoming popular after Rameau published his treatise - and even then it wasn't widely taught until the mid18th cent. The reason we have the theory we do now is from studying works and deriving our own set of "rules" (I use this lightly) from common elements we find. Just remember that Bach and other composers of the time were making these rules by what sounded right to them not what they read in a book.
evanduffycomposer 5 months ago in playlist Bach Prelude and Fugue in C
@evanduffycomposer Well, before Rameau you had Fux. Also, composers didn't just compose away, they were educated by masters, in what was a highly professional and artisanal environment. Just because the rules aren't learned from a book, doesn't mean there are no rules: just ask any genuine carpenter (hm, I guess they're all retired/dead nowadays...).
henripche 5 months ago
Let treefingers have his own opinion, guys. I don't agree with him, but I think he's trying to say that all this knowledge doesn't necessarily produce a good musician (which I DO agree with), and that sometimes it takes a fresh pair of untrained ears to hear things in a different way... it may be his personal experience that too much understanding can sometimes not allow us to step back and not be as analytical.
evanduffycomposer 5 months ago in playlist Bach Prelude and Fugue in C
@clevernickname70 The true Art is in the skillful balance of the written work and an artist's interpretation of the piece. If either of these is emphasized over the other, true musical beauty cannot be achieved.
Oshkid9008 7 months ago
@treefingers68 music theory helps you understand music better as a whole. It allows you to be able to pick out the parts of the piece you're trying to play. It gives structure to a big mess of notes and rhythms. It is VERY useful. It's like saying that learning grammar inhibits a writers creativity.
antidrugofmusic 11 months ago 4
Clavichord actually. Lots of expression! it was normally used in smaller settings, the harpsichord for larger venues.
1810to1849 2 years ago
Just a thought. For all those of you seeking to analyze and deconstruct a particular interpretation... you are missing the point of the Art. The magic does not lie in the individual notes or the turn of a phrase but rather in the whole. Get out of your left brain for a few minutes and just listen... not to Gould, or Gulda or Goldfish. The artist here is J.S. Bach.
clevernickname70 2 years ago 11
Yes. Agwee fully. But this is a very good and at the same time remarkable preformance. I would describe it as 'direct'.
3NUNS 2 years ago
@clevernickname70 ... which is why counterpoint and music theory classes are %100 useless and inhibit creativity
treefingers68 1 year ago
@treefingers68
That was a ridiculously ignorant comment. If you provoke me to do so, I will explain why, but grudgingly.
colourfulwithaU 10 months ago
@treefingers68 are you absolutely retarded? ... i don't even know how to begin to describe how ignorant your comment is
lksong2041 10 months ago
@treefingers68 They unlock creativity. What you are refering to is infact impulsiveness. True creative genius is taking impulses and turning that into something beautiful and engenius through one's knowledge.
Johannes999999999 9 months ago
@clevernickname70
On a purely aesthetic and emotional level, I am less moved by many other interpretations and find them less beautiful. And for any performer worth his salt, the "why" is a necessary question.
colourfulwithaU 10 months ago
WTC a true masterpiece written by the Leipzig Kantor and published after his death in the XIX century, a composition for practicing to students and that turned out to be the work of a genius!
beethomozart 2 years ago
what ?
jimrock63 2 years ago
Very intelligent interpretation.
didirama28 2 years ago
My favorite is now a tie between No.1 and No.7
pachebelscanon 2 years ago
Dave2bu: thanks for asking. I relistened to it and think it's a little better, but still not that great. The prelude is much too fast and not expressive enough. It is not an allegro but he plays it as though it were. The fugue is very rough and lacks playfulness. It's not an issue of tempo but mostly an issue of touch, in that his sound is very aggressive and harsh.
BachScholar 2 years ago
I must agree. This should not be a march, nor so heavy handed.
wardka 2 years ago
Considering the Well-Tempered Clavier was written by Bach without much in the way of expression. It's theorized that it was meant primarily for the harpsichord, an instrument lacking in the amenities offered on the modern piano instrument.
saintneko 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This is terrible. Simply awful. Nothing could be more unmusical than this.
BachScholar 3 years ago
Siiiiiiii, soy el primero
bachwv565 3 years ago